The nurse is caring for a client with a history of liver cirrhosis. Which complication should the nurse monitor for?

Choice A reason: Huff coughing clears airway secretions but is less urgent than assessing oxygenation in acute dyspnea. COPD exacerbations reduce oxygen saturation, risking hypoxia. Pulse oximetry confirms the severity, guiding interventions, as coughing techniques are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation.

Choice B reason: Humidification prevents airway drying during oxygen therapy but does not address immediate dyspnea or hypoxia. Pulse oximetry is prioritized to assess oxygenation status in COPD exacerbation, as low oxygen levels require urgent intervention, making humidification a secondary consideration.

Choice C reason: Nebulizer treatments, like albuterol, relieve bronchospasm but require confirmation of hypoxia severity. Pulse oximetry assesses oxygen saturation, guiding whether nebulization or oxygen is needed. In acute COPD exacerbation, oxygenation status is critical to prioritize before administering treatments.

Choice D reason: Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation, critical in COPD exacerbation with dyspnea and tachypnea. Low saturation indicates hypoxia, guiding oxygen therapy or bronchodilator use. This objective data is the next priority after positioning, as it directs immediate interventions to prevent respiratory failure.

Choice A reason: Monitoring daily urine output assesses kidney function and fluid balance, as urine volume reflects hydration and electrolyte homeostasis. Inadequate output signals dehydration or renal issues, allowing timely intervention to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, making it the most effective nursing action.

Choice B reason: Salt tablets after exercise replace sodium lost in sweat but are not a universal intervention for fluid and electrolyte balance. They risk hypernatremia if overused. Monitoring urine output is more comprehensive, as it directly evaluates fluid status across various clinical scenarios.

Choice C reason: Reviewing food labels for sodium content helps manage dietary intake but is indirect and patient-dependent. Urine output monitoring provides objective data on fluid and electrolyte status, enabling timely adjustments in therapy, making it a more immediate and reliable intervention.

Choice D reason: Drinking water when thirsty supports hydration but relies on subjective thirst, which may be impaired in certain conditions. Monitoring urine output objectively assesses fluid balance, detecting imbalances early, making it a more proactive and precise intervention than thirst-driven hydration.